These photos are from mid-January while we were having cold sunny weather, and also some ice on the river. The Common Goldeneye, in spite of its name (in English), is not very common just around here; but there is at least one of them keeping the mallards company again this winter. There often seems to be just one, although in spring/summer I have sometimes also seen a whole family of them. I’m not a skilled enough birdwatcher to determine if it’s the same one from year to year. I also don’t know how long they live. It may have been his father or grandfather I’ve come across before – who knows! Anyway, this one behaved much the same as I’ve noted when I’ve seen lonely goldeneyes in the river before; i.e. it seems to seek the company of the mallards not to feel all alone, but at the same time it keeps its distance. (A bit like myself in a crowd of strangers sometimes!)
Here they keep their distance from me. I have yet to get a good picture of one.
ReplyDeleteThey were really too far away for my limited zoom most of the time too, Adrian. Lots of blurry photos discarded :)
DeleteI wonder how Mr. Goldeneye ended up among the mallards. Was he put there by the town council, along with some other more exotic water fowl, to liven up things a bit? Or did he come from a private park or garden and one day simply had enough of the sheltered life there?
ReplyDeleteIt would make a good story for a children's book.
Meike, I suspect Mr. Goldeneye just did not find it worthwhile to fly south for the winter, as long as there is open water and food to be found (and some mallard company). :) I understand from my bird book as well as Wiki that the goldeneyes usually breed further north in Sweden, but migrate further south in Europe for winter. But I suppose some individuals might find this area an acceptable compromise for both summer and winter.
Deleteyour golden eyes are always pretty and something i have not seen yet with my own eyes.. the water was wet when i dipped my fingers in it
ReplyDeleteSandra, on the whole this winter has been rather mild; and this part of the river rarely freezes over completely even when it's colder, as there is a dam with a little waterfall nearby that keeps the water moving.
DeleteNot only is it a good picture but I've just learned something else!
ReplyDeleteGraham, now you have me wondering what!
DeleteAbout the migratory habits - or not - of Goldeneyes.
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